Chapter 3B: Finnage Characteristics

Bettas4all Standard – English Version 17/05/2014
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Chapter 3B: Finnage Characteristics - Asymmetrical Halfmoon Plakat
Figure 3B.1
2D representation of the 3D model of the ideal asymmetrical halfmoon plakat (created by Stefan George
Psarakos).
1. General appearance
1.1 Condition
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3).
1.2 Deportment
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3).
1.3 Overall balance
As the name indicates, the ideal asymmetrical halfmoon plakat has an asymmetrical appearance
which is mostly caused by the length and shape of the anal fin and is contributed to by the breadth,
length and shape of the ventral fins and dorsal fin (see Figure 3B.2).
The contour of the ideal symmetrical shortfinned betta can be captured by an oval of which the width is
approximately 1.5-times the height (see Chapter 3C). In contrast to the symmetrical shortfinned betta,
the upper part of the ideal asymmetrical halfmoon plakat approximately fits this oval but the
asymmetrical lower part does not follow these contours and both the anal fin and the ventral fins
clearly extend beyond the bottom edge of the caudal fin.
Figure 3B.2
The upper part of the ideal asymmetrical halfmoon plakat approximately fits the ideal symmetrical oval
but the asymmetrical lower part does not follow these contours. The horizontal (X) and vertical (Y)
midline as well as vertical lines A-E are used to describe the proportions of the ideal asymmetrical
halfmoon plakat.
The vertical line which runs through the point on the body where the outer rays of the caudal fin are
attached (C), divides the total length of the asymmetrical halfmoon plakat (A-E) into two parts, A-C and
C-E, with a ~70/30 distribution respectively (see Figure 3B.2).
An important point with respect to overall balance is the fact that the finnage has to be in proportion
with the body. The width of the anal fin (B-C) is used as an important marker to indicate the desired
proportions (see Figure 3B.3). In the ideal situation the length of the rays of the caudal fin, which
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Bettas4all Standard – English Version 17/05/2014
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extend from the peduncle (D) to the outer rim (E), are equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin (B-C).
When an imaginary vertical midline would be drawn, the vertical length of the dorsal and anal fin from
the body to the outer rim is again equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin. However, the length of the
longest ray in the posterior part of the anal fin is 3/4 of the width of the anal fin. The length of the
ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 3/4 of the width of
the anal fin (B-C).
Figure 3B.3
The width of the anal fin (B-C) is an important marker to demonstrate proportion.
2. Body
2.1 Form & dimension
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3 and Figure 3B.4).
Figure 3B.4
Ideal body shape form & dimension of the asymmetrical halfmoon plakat.
2.2. Scalation
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3).
3. Finnage
3.1 Caudal fin
The form of the caudal fin of the asymmetrical halfmoon plakat can be compared with the shape of a
capital letter “D” (see Figure 3B.5, left). The caudal fin has a symmetrical appearance which means
that it could be divided into two equal parts which are mirror-images of each other across a horizontal
midline (X). The ideal caudal fin has a 180-degree spread, straight rays and sharp corners. A spread
of more than 180-degrees is not preferred over a 180-degree spread. The caudal fin has 12-13
primary rays which extend from the peduncle and ideally the branching of the rays can range from
secondary (4-ray) to tertiary (8-ray) branching. The branching of the rays should be evenly distributed
throughout the caudal fin. The webbing of the caudal fin has a smooth appearance without any
overlapping/folding parts due to excessive branching and/or webbing.
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Bettas4all Standard – English Version 17/05/2014
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Figure 3B.5
Ideal form of the caudal fin (left) and dorsal fin (right) of the asymmetrical halfmoon plakat.
3.2 Dorsal fin
The dorsal fin of the asymmetrical halfmoon plakat snaps open like a fan and has the shape of a
modified scalene trapezoid (see Figure 3B.5, right). The volume and the capacity of the dorsal fin to
open up like a fan is achieved by an increase in branching of the rays (mostly secondary or tertiary
branching) and possibly a slight increase of rays (ranging from 9 to 12 rays). Ideally the base of the
dorsal fin should be equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin (B-C). The rays in the back of the dorsal fin
match those of the caudal fin but the length of the rays slightly declines towards the front. The rays in
the front of the dorsal must be slighlty directed forward, and the back of the dorsal fin overlaps the
upper part of the caudal. Overlap of the back of the dorsal fin with the body is not desirable. The
webbing of the dorsal fin has a smooth appearance without any overlapping/folding parts due to
excessive branching and/or webbing.
3.3 Anal fin
The anal fin of the asymmetrical halfmoon plakat is trapezoid shaped and starts at the thickest point of
the body (B) (see Figure 3B.6, right). The longest ray of the anal fin clearly extends below the bottom
edge of the caudal fin (without a clear pointed tip) but the length of the rays gradually declines towards
the front. During flaring the front of the anal is directed forward and the back overlaps the lower part of
the caudal. The volume and the capacity of the anal fin to open up during flaring is achieved by a
moderate branching of the fin-rays (mainly primary raysplitting although secondary raysplitting
sometimes also can be observed). The webbing of the anal fin has a smooth appearance without any
overlapping/folding parts due to excessive branching and/or webbing.
3.4 Ventral fins
The form of the ventral fins of a asymmetrical halfmoon plakat is as in all other show betta (see
Chapter 3). Additionally, the ventrals of the asymmetrical halfmoon plakat should have a full volume
(see Figure 3B.6, left).
3.5 Pectoral fins
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3 and Figure 3B.6, right). The pectoral fins of the
asymmetrical halfmoon plakat are D-shaped with primary (2-ray) branching.
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Figure 3B.6
Ideal form of the ventral & pectoral fins (left) and anal fin (right) of the asymmetrical halfmoon plakat.
Figure 3B.7
Example of asymmetrical halfmoon plakat males.
(A) was bred by Rung Keereelang (Thailand), (B) and (C) were bred by Joep van Esch (The Netherlands)
Please note that this fish is an example and still exhibits points requiring improvement.
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